ABSTRACT
RESEARCH SUBJECT: Relationship between Nurses’
Perceptions of Empowerment and Patients’
Satisfaction
STUDENT:
Stacee E. Glenn, RN, BSN
DEGREE:
Masters of Science
COLLEGE:
Applied Science & Technology
DATE:
July, 2010
PAGES:
67
Both nurses’ job satisfaction and patients’
satisfaction are increasingly important focuses in the
health care environment. Nurses who work in environments
that promote nurse empowerment are more likely to use more
effective work practices, resulting in positive patient
outcomes (Donahue et al., 2008). The purpose of this study
is to examine the relationship between nurses’ empowerment
and patients’ satisfaction with care. This is a replication
of Donahue et al.’s study. The framework is Kanter’s Theory
of Structural Power in Organizations (1977). The sample
will include 150 nurses working in a non-profit hospital in
Bloomington, Indiana. The patient sample will include 200
patients on the same hospital units. Nurses’ perceptions of
empowerment will be measured by The National Database of
i
Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) survey. Patients’
satisfaction will be measured using the NRC+Picker survey
which yields satisfaction data quarterly. The findings will
provide information for nurse managers about the level of
satisfaction of both nurses and patients in the hospital
setting that will provide a base for staff development in
regard to patient satisfaction.
ii
3